Ikea in Croydon is offering a free hot meal to the hundreds of people who have been evacuated from their homes due to a gas leak.

An exclusion zone put in place by emergency services due to a car colliding with a gas governor in Whitestone Way, Croydon on Sunday night (March 18) has meant hundreds of people living within the immediate area have been evacuated from their homes.

It is estimated that about 900 people living in the New South Quarter have been most seriously affected by the leaks.

Many residents spent the night with friends or family, while others stayed at a temporary rest centre set up by Croydon Council.